Dahlia plant named &#39;BKDAOBI&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘BKDAOBI’, characterized by its broadly upright plant habit; freely basal branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; medium-sized dark green-colored leaves; and large decorative inflorescences with orange and red bi-colored ray florets.

Botanical designation: Dahlia hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘BKDAOBI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahliaplant, botanically known as Dahlia hybrida and hereinafter referred toby the name ‘BKDAOBI’.

The new Dahlia plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Maasdijk, The Netherlands. The objective ofthe breeding program is to create new container Dahlia plants that havea freely basal branching habit, and large decorative inflorescences withattractive ray floret coloration.

The new Dahlia plant is a naturally-occurring branch mutation of Dahliahybrida ‘BKDADO’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Patent application Ser. No.14/998,421. The new Dahlia plant was discovered and selected by theInventor on a single flowering plant from within a population of plantsof ‘BKDADO’ in a controlled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk, TheNetherlands in April, 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia plant by terminal cuttings in acontrolled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk, The Netherlands sinceJune, 2013 has shown that the unique features of this new Dahlia plantare stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Dahlia have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural conditions. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘BKDAOBI’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘BKDAOBI’ as a new and distinct Dahlia plant:

1. Broadly upright plant habit.

2. Freely basal branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit.

3. Medium-sized dark green-colored leaves.

4. Large decorative inflorescences with orange and red bi-colored rayflorets.

Plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily from plants of the mutationparent, ‘BKDADO’, in ray floret color as plants of ‘BKDADO’ have solidorange-colored ray florets.

Plants of the new Dahlia can be compared to plants of Dahlia hybrida‘BKDAOR’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,487. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Dahlia differ from plants of ‘BKDAOR’ inthe following characteristics:

1. Plants of the new Dahlia have lighter green-colored leaves thanplants of ‘BKDAOR’.

2. Plants of the new Dahlia and ‘BKDAOR’ differ in ray floret color asplants of ‘BKDAOR’ have yellow to yellow orange-colored ray florets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Dahlia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possibleto obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Dahlia plant. The photograph on the first sheet comprises a sideperspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘BKDAOBI’ grown in acontainer. The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘BKDAOBI’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and the following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the winter in 15-cm containersin a glass-covered greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands and undercultural practices typical of commercial Dahlia production. During theproduction of the plants, day and night temperatures ranged from 17° C.to 19° C. Plants were pinched one time and were nine weeks old when thephotographs and description were taken. To induce inflorescenceinitiation and development, plants were grown under short nyctoperiod(long day) conditions. In the following description, color referencesare made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition,except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance arc used.

-   Botanical classification: Dahlia hybrida ‘BKDAOBI’.-   Parentage: Naturally-occurring branch mutation of Dahlia hybrida    ‘BKDADO’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Patent application Ser. No.    14/998,421.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By terminal cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 16 days at            temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 21° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 19 days at            temperatures ranging from 19° C. to 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 21 days            at temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 23 days            at temperatures ranging from 19° C. to 21° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically            white to light brown in color, actual color of the roots is            dependent on substrate composition, water quality,            fertilizers, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots; tuber development has not been observed on plants of            the new Dahlia.        -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Broadly upright and mounding plant            form; overall plant shape, flattened globular; freely basal            branching habit with about four primary branches developing            per plant; inflorescences held above the foliar plane on            strong peduncles; bushy and dense growth habit; pinching is            not required but will improve branching habit; moderately            vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 20.9            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 32.5            cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 36.8 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 14.9 cm. Diameter: About            6 mm. Internode length: About 3.3 cm. Aspect: Primary            branches are mostly erect; secondary branches, about 40°            from primary branch axis. Strength: Moderately strong.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color,            developing: Close to between 152A and N200A. Color,            developed: Close to 146A tinged with close to 200D.-   Leaf & leaflet description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Leaves opposite and compound with three or five            leaflets.        -   Length, leaves.—About 16.1 cm.        -   Length, terminal leaflets.—About 10.3 cm.        -   Width, leaves.—About 17.8 cm.        -   Width, terminal leaflets.—About 5.9 cm.        -   Shape, leaves in overall outline.—Ovate.        -   Shape, leaflets.—Ovate.        -   Apex, leaflets.—Acute to apiculate.        -   Base, leaflets.—Attenuate.        -   Margin, leaflets.—Coarsely serrate.        -   Venation pattern, leaflets.—Pinnate.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface, leaflets.—Slightly            rugose, sparsely pubescent; slightly velvety; slightly            glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface, leaflets.—Smooth,            sparsely pubescent; matte.        -   Color.—Developing leaflets, upper surface: Close to between            NN137A and 139A. Developing leaflets, lower surface: Close            to NN137D. Fully expanded leaflets, upper surface: Slightly            darker than between 147A and N189A; venation, close to 191A.            Fully expanded leaflets, lower surface: Close to 143A;            venation, close to 146A.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 4.9 cm. Width: About 4.5 mm. Height:            About 4.5 mm. Strength: Moderately strong to strong. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to 146A to 146B. Color,            lower surface: Close to 146B.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and arrangement.—Double inflorescence form with            ray and disc florets forming acropetally on a receptacle;            inflorescences positioned above and beyond the foliar plane            on strong peduncles; inflorescences face mostly upright;            freely flowering habit with about 18 inflorescences            developing per plant.        -   Fragrance.—Faintly fragrant; sweet, pleasant.        -   Flowering response and flowering period.—Early flowering            habit, plants begin flowering about 62 days after planting;            plants flower continuously during the autumn into the winter            in The Netherlands.        -   Post-production longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good            substance for about ten days on the plant; inflorescences            persistent.        -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About            1.6 cm. Shape: Flattened globular. Texture and luster:            Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: Close to 144B to 144C;            towards the apex, close to 46D.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 9.6 cm. Depth (height):            About 7.9 cm. Disc diameter: About 1.6 cm.        -   Receptacles.—Height: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 6 mm.            Shape: Flattened globular. Color: Close to 145C.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:            About 100 arranged in about six whorls. Length: About            4.1 cm. Width: About 2.2 cm. Shape: Broadly obovate. Apex:            Obtuse to shallowly retuse. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire.            Aspect: Upright to roughly horizontal and eventually            downward, moderately to strongly concave. Texture and            luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            moderately velvety; matte. Color: When opening, upper            surface; Close to 26A and towards the base, close to 1A.            When opening, lower surface: Close to N45A and towards the            base, close to 53A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to            26B and towards the base, close to 6C; venation, same as            lamina, close to 26B and towards the base, close to 6C;            colors do not change with development. Fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 42A and towards the base, close to 42C;            venation, close to 50B and towards the base, close to 11D;            with development, colors become closer to 53C and towards            the base, close to 42B to 42C.        -   Disc florets.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:            About 25 massed at the center of the inflorescence in about            three spiral whorls. Length: About 1.4 cm. Diameter: About            4 mm. Shape: Tubular, elongated; apices, acute. Texture and            luster, inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; glossy.            Color, when opening, inner and outer surfaces: Apex: Close            to 14B. Mid-section and base: Close to 151C. Color, fully            opened, inner and outer surfaces: Apex: Close to 14B.            Mid-section and base: Close to 151C.        -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:            About eight arranged in about two whorls. Length: About            1.3 cm. Width: About 7 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base:            Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Color, upper            surface: Close to NN137A. Color, lower surface: Close to            NN137B.        -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 17.2 cm.            Diameter, terminal peduncle: About 3.5 mm. Strength: Strong.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy.            Color. Close to 144A; proximally, tinged with close to            N199A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium, present on disc florets            only: Quantity per floret: About four. Filament length:            About 1 mm. Filament color: Close to 151D. Anther shape:            Narrowly oblong. Anther length: About 4 mm. Anther color:            Close to 13A. Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color: Close            to N25C. Gynoecium, present on disc florets only: Quantity            per floret: One. Pistil length: About 1.2 cm. Style length:            About 8 mm. Style color: Close to 151D. Stigma diameter:            About 4 mm. Stigma shape: Cleft, decurrent. Stigma color:            Close to 17A to 17B. Ovary color: Close to 145D. Seeds and            fruits: Seed and fruit development have not been observed on            plants of the new Dahlia.-   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Dahlia have not been    observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Dahlia    plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Dahlia have been observed    to tolerate high temperatures of about 30° C. and to be suitable for    USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Dahlia plant named ‘BKDAOBI’ asillustrated and described.